Lantern Lit on 5/2/17-5/9/17 for Avery Edwards, 20 Months, of Rhinelander, and Dez'Jon Lamont Stephan Taylor, 15, of Kenosha

Lantern Project: Since October 2013, Hope House has joined with other domestic violence programs around the state by implementing the Lantern Project. For our part in this statewide project, we added to the lamppost in front of Hope House a purple wreath. We will turn on the light for a week every time there is a death related to domestic violence in Wisconsin. We will post information online about the person(s) that was killed. If you drive by our building and see our lamppost on, please reflect on the deadly impact that domestic violence has on our communities. We know the list of stories we post here is incomplete. We strive to learn about and share these stories but know that there are some that we and the media miss. If you see a news story of a death in WI related to domestic violence and don't see it posted here, please feel free to let us know about it here. Thank you.

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Avery Edwards

Dozens Gather to Remember Avery Edwards

News Story: "A 28-year-old Rhinelander woman was formally charged Tuesday with second-degree reckless homicide in connection with the death of her 20-month-old stepson. According to a press release issued by Oneida County chief deputy Dan Hess just before 1 p.m. Monday, the department received a 9-1-1 call at approximately 6:24 p.m. Friday reporting a 20-month-old boy was breathing very shallowly. Deputies and medics responded the scene and transported the child to St. Mary's Hospital. He was then flown to St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield where he passed away a short time later"...Read more

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Dez'Jon Lamont Stephan Taylor

Obituary: "Dez’Jon, Lamont Stephan Taylor, age 15, went home to be with our Lord and Savior on Friday, April 28, 2017 at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin – Milwaukee Campus. He was born on September 16, 2001 in Kenosha, Wisconsin to Melodie Hopkins and Jonathan Taylor.  He received his formal education in the Kenosha Unified School District and was currently a student at Mary D. Bradford High School.

​Dez’Jon was a very caring, selfless, vibrant and active young man and he was always willing to help any and everybody.  He was a current member of the Kenosha Boys and Girls Club.  Dez’Jon had a great passion for playing football. He has played for the Kenosha Ramblers Youth Football Team as well as the Bradford Football Team. He also enjoyed weight lifting but nothing could compare to the time he spent with his family and friends. Dez’Jon’s contagious smile would light up any room.  He will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him"...Read more

News Story: "'He was a great friend. He'll support you over anything,' said Eduardo Zavaleta, victim's friend. Taylor was fatally stabbed in the heart Tuesday morning, April 25th, at Bradford High School. Fellow classmate, 15-year-old Timothy Carson, is charged as an adult in the case. Friends say the two used to be close, but according to prosecutors, they had been fighting recently over a girl"...Read more

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